WINNO'S WINNERS, DOOMBEN, DECEMBER 26, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, December 25, 2021

BOXING DAY 2021.

Santa has come and gone. The cricket is on in Melbourne – time to whip the POMMIES…. Again! The shops are open – the tills are rattling the credit cards are tapping…

AND the races are on at Doomben where the track is rated “soft” and the rail is in out 0.5 metres for the entire track. With showers forecast on X-mas day and into the weekend – maybe the track could end up a little worse – let’s hope not!

NB: As these selections were made prior to raceday please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

The three years old’s kick us off.

The Scott Morrisey trained Princess Lunar (2) – undefeated in two starts on her home track looks well placed here with the claim for Jaden Lloyd.

Tony Gollan is well represented with Frosty Mango (3) and Self Indulgent (6) both who are resuming and have been trialling well. He also has Muschialli in the race.

Tough race to start the day.

Selections:

2 – Princess Lunar
6 – Self Indulgent
3 – Frosty Mango
1 – Ahooshu
Rough chance – (7) Enabler

Race 2

Open race here.

Kirkeby (4) loves wet tracks – comes off an impressive win here last start on a Friday meeting. Trained by Chris Waller and will be partnered by Jim Byrne again.

Stuck With You (5) is a Matthew Dunn Racing runner – will have Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) riding. His claim will be handy here – his last start effort in a quality field was good enough to suggest he is right in this race.

Becandleni (7) is trained by Les Kelly – good win last time out over 1800 metres at the Sunshine Coast – keep safe.

Selections:

4 – Kirkeby
5 – Stuck With You
7 – Becandleni
10 – Demurrai

Race 3

Another small field for the three-year-old runners.

Danny Bougoure has two nice chances here in Indiscreetly (5) and Gracie Blue (8) – both last start winners.

Indiscreetly (5) won at Eagle Farm leading all the way over 1400 metres – she steps up to the mile here this weekend and Georgina Cartwright retains the ride. She is undefeated in two career starts – can she continue with a winning hat trick?

Gracie Blue (8) won at the Sunshine Coast last time out over 1800 metres. One thing for sure she will get the distance. Part owner Ross Stevenson – AKA The Brisbane Bugler - will have something to blow his horn about if she wins!

Telephone Booth (6) ran a gallant second to Indiscreetly (5) last time out for trainer Mark Currie. She chased her home well last start – maybe she could turn the tables on her this weekend – Taylor Marshall will ride.

Selections:

5 – Indiscreetly
6 – Telephone Booth
4 – Il Toro D’Oro
8 – Gracie Blue

Race 4

A few early scratchings here.

Desleigh Forster trains Sister Marie (11) who has won her past two starts from a spell. She will get better as the distance gets longer – with some speed engaged she will be right in this race at around $7. Jim Byrne has ridden her in both her wins this preparation – can he get the hat trick (after all it is Boxing Day test match day!).

Morethannumberone (3) is a Michael Costa runner and a deserved favourite – just $1.85 is too short for me. Up to the mile is perfect third up from a spell – Andrew Mallyon will ride.

Smart Meteor is another nice ride for Jaden Lloyd after he won on him last time out at Eagle Farm over the mile. Gets in with a huge weight, however the race should pan out to see him working home fast late.

Selections:

11 – Sister Marie
3 – Morethannumberone
2 – Smart Meteor
5 – Dzsenifer
Rough chances – (15) Sokudo

Race 5

A massive Class 3 race over 1200 metres – tough race.

Gollan Racing has two good chances here in Mass Destruction (3) and Palladas (10).

Mass Destruction (3) is second up here and will appreciate the speed on in the race – will be flying home late – will settle back from barrier 14 and I expect James McDonald to bring him wide down the outside in the straight – can he catch the leaders is the only question I have?

The stable mate is Palladas (10) who resumes here with Ryan Maloney aboard. Was racing in Listed company last preparation – has had a nice trial in preparation for this race. Will handle a soft track and race midfield - looks a great each way chance.

Gillian Heinrich on the Gold Coast has a pair of runners as well that could show up – Deference (1) who won last start at Ipswich with the stable apprentice Sheriden Tomlinson aboard – his claim will be handy here. If the track gets into the heavy range as well – this runner will thrive!

Euro Belle (13) is the stable mate – an awesome effort first up in the Tatts Classic at Listed level – was forced to race wide on that occasion – given a more conservative run she could cause a major upset here with Stephanie Thornton aboard at $17.

Garoppolo (2) has drawn the rail – will be given the run of the race by Jaden Lloyd for trainer Maryann Brosnan. When he resumed a fortnight ago at Eagle Farm he raced home in a Class 6 race and will be improved for that effort.

Selections:

10 – Palladas
2 – Garoppolo
3 – Mass Destruction
13 – Euro Belle
Rough chance – (1) Deference

Race 6 B J McLachlan Plate (Group 3)

This race is a great lead up to the Magic Millions – and we get to see the early Magic Millions and Golden Slipper favourite – Coolangatta (9) for the first time in QLD = trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace and will be ridden by James McDonald.

Annabel Neasham trains Swiss Exile (6) who was solid on debut in the Phelan Ready when defeated by Palazzo Spirit (1). Since then, has had a barrier trial and won easily – Ryan Maloney will ride – something tells me that second up over 1200 metres this maybe the runner to be on. I think that this colt will appreciate the longer distance.

Palazzo Spirit (1) is trained by Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted and Baylee Nothdurft will ride him again. He is looking to keep his unbeaten record intact after three starts. I have great respect for this runner – but have a question on 1200 metres – but I hope he goes well here.

Bright Blue Sky (10) is the New Zealand runner trained by Jamie Richards with Tommy Berry aboard. Will be her first start in Australia – has had a great barrier trial at Rosehill two weeks ago – looks ready to run a race.

Selections:

9 – Coolangatta
6 – Swiss Exile
1 – Palazzo Spirit
10 – Bright Blue Sky
Rough chance – (12) Wild Botanica

Race 7 TAB Bernborough Plate (Listed)

Second up Ballistic Boy (2) looks well placed over the mile. Stormed home first up – Luke Dittman will ride this weekend. He has a tremendous second up record and loves the mile.

The Harrovian (4) is second up here this weekend over the mile for Edmonds Racing. A solid first up effort and goes down in weights here – Ben Thompson will ride. If there is rain, he will really come into his own as he loves a wet track.

Niccanova (1) must not be left out – loves Doomben and the mile.

Charmmebaby (10) had a change of stables to Lawrie Mayfield-Smith and won on debut in QLD in the Brisbane Handicap at a massive price. This runner loves wet tracks as well – Taylor Marshall will ride again.

Selections:

2 – Ballistic Boy
4 – The Harrovian
1 – Niccanova
10 – Charmmebaby

Race 8 Magic Millions Falvelon Quality

Zoustyle (2) has resumed – two from two for Gollan Racing – Ryan Maloney will ride this weekend. He is weighted up to his very best and faces his toughest test for mine.

The stable mate is Baller (4) - he will like the speed on and will be thundering home late with Stephanie Thornton riding again.

Beau Rossa (1) raced at Group 1 level in his last two starts and went for a spell. He resumes from a 14-week spell after an excellent trial at Rosehill – he comes here fresh and on a track that he should thrive on. Trainer Will Clarken has brought Todd Pannell to QLD to partner this runner – he has an excellent partnership with the horse - 4 wins and 1 second from 7 starts. With $6 on offer I think he looks a wonderful chance to take on the QLD champion – a battle supreme!

The powerful James Cummings / Godolphin team has Roheryn (5) resuming here. This runner has an exemplary first up record with 5 wins from 6 starts. James McDonald who has a 100% strike rate (2 rides – 2 wins) will ride him here. This gelding is a genuine chance.

The Odyssey (9) was super first up over an unsuitable 1000 metres. Stepping up to 1200 metres here this weekend look for an improved effort.

Simply Fly (12) represents a rough chance as well.

Selections:

1 – Beau Rossa
2 – Zoustyle
5 – Roheryn
4 – Baller
Rough chance – (9) The Odyssey & (12) Simply Fly

Race 9

The last race on a great day of racing.

Onwards to the Magic Millions now.

The Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted trained Wonderful Riri (6) has been knocking on the door to post a win. Boris Thornton will ride this weekend – she is third up and had to race at the rear of the field in the Tatts Classic last time out before she stormed home late and was beaten just three lengths. Back in grade here she looks well placed.

Gollan Racing finishes off the program with another solid chance in Glitter Strip (14) who will be ridden by Georgina Cartwright. This mare is second up this weekend – despite her poor second up record I think she is a genuine chance – has some ability and normally sprints well early in her campaigns.

Starvirgo (12), trained by Robert Heathcote, will be partnered by Jaden Lloyd – he claim will assist. Third up here this weekend – nothing wrong with his first two runs up from a spell. He seemed to resent getting struck on the head with the whip as he worked into the race last time at the Sunshine Coast – look for an improved effort here.

Enterprise Prince (10) is trained by Michael Lakey - second up here with Samantha Collett in the saddle – he has won previously second up could fill a place.

Roman Aureus (2) and Slow Hands (3) both have chances on their recent efforts on the track and should not be overlooked.

Selections:

6 – Wonderful Riri
14 – Glitter Strip
12 – Starvirgo
10 – Enterprise Prince
Rough chance – (2) Roman Aureus & (3) Slow Hands
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like a battle between Jim Byrne and Ryan Maloney – maybe a slight edge to Ryan.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5,7 / 4,5,6/ 2,3,5,11 / 2,3,10,13 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quad die (races 2 to 5)

4,5 / 5,6 / 3,11 / 2,3,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6,9 / 1,2,4,10 / 1,2,4,5 / 6,10,12,14 - cost is $128 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

9 / 1,2,4,10 / 1,2,4,5 / 6,14,12 - cost is $48 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,4,10 / 1,2,4,5 / 6,10,12,14 - cost is $64 to $1

I suppose I had better sign off with – SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!!!

Happy New Year – best wishes for 2022!

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